These are the two ladies I was speaking of that have such inspiring stories! They felt that by sharing their stories, they truly hope they can inspire at least one person to change their lifestyle and live healthier, all of it would have been worth it! I am so proud of these two individuals and what they have accomplished. Please read their success stories below:
Nichole C. Wofford
My journey with Weight Watchers began in April, 2007. At the time I joined Weight Watchers, I was 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighed approximately 457 lbs and was extremely unhealthy. I'd wanted to have gastric bypass surgery through Kaiser Permanente-Fremont in order to save my life, but needed to lose 57 lbs in order to qualify for the surgery. I thought this was impossible! At the time, I was pre-diabetic, had hypertension, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and a lot of bodily aches and pains. I could hardly walk 1/2 a block around my neighborhood. Through the support of Weight Watchers, I lost 57 lbs that qualified me to have the gastric bypass surgery in February, 2008. Since then I have lost a total of 213 lbs and now weigh 244 lbs. I have approximately 45 lbs to go. This is the closest I have ever come to reaching my weight loss goal. Today, I am active and healthy, I exercise daily through doing the elliptical machine, riding my bike and walking around my neighborhood. I participated in my first triathlon and duathlon last summer with my Weight Watchers leader, Cara, and my Weight Watchers receptionist, Carol. They have been so wonderfully supportive and have been there every step of the way along my journey. Although I've had the surgery, I understand my health relationship with food is something I will have to manage the rest of my life. Weight Watchers offers a program I know I can follow for life and remain successful. I am determined to reach my weight loss goal and I am planning to reach my final weight of 199 by December, 2010.
My journey with Weight Watchers began in April, 2007. At the time I joined Weight Watchers, I was 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighed approximately 457 lbs and was extremely unhealthy. I'd wanted to have gastric bypass surgery through Kaiser Permanente-Fremont in order to save my life, but needed to lose 57 lbs in order to qualify for the surgery. I thought this was impossible! At the time, I was pre-diabetic, had hypertension, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and a lot of bodily aches and pains. I could hardly walk 1/2 a block around my neighborhood. Through the support of Weight Watchers, I lost 57 lbs that qualified me to have the gastric bypass surgery in February, 2008. Since then I have lost a total of 213 lbs and now weigh 244 lbs. I have approximately 45 lbs to go. This is the closest I have ever come to reaching my weight loss goal. Today, I am active and healthy, I exercise daily through doing the elliptical machine, riding my bike and walking around my neighborhood. I participated in my first triathlon and duathlon last summer with my Weight Watchers leader, Cara, and my Weight Watchers receptionist, Carol. They have been so wonderfully supportive and have been there every step of the way along my journey. Although I've had the surgery, I understand my health relationship with food is something I will have to manage the rest of my life. Weight Watchers offers a program I know I can follow for life and remain successful. I am determined to reach my weight loss goal and I am planning to reach my final weight of 199 by December, 2010.
Bethany V. Smith
At my heaviest weight, I was 511 lbs. I had diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, knee problems and had almost died due to a pulmonary embolism in the summer of 2007. I was dying and needed to do something drastically different in order to change my life. I'd heard gastric bypass surgery could possibly save my life and I would be approved if I lost approximately 80 lbs. I joined Weight Watchers in order to help me lose the weight I needed to have the surgery. Through Weight Watchers, I lost 86 lbs and had my surgery in June, 2008. Since then, I have lost almost 250 lbs and now weigh approximately 265 lbs today. I have about 70 lbs more to lose which will put me at 195 lbs. A healthy weight for me since I am 6 feet 2 inches tall. Today, although I am not fond of exercise, I try to exercise daily by riding my recumbent bicycle, watching what I eat and attending my Weight Watchers meetings regularly. My lifestyle has changed so much since joining Weight Watchers. I now know appropriate portion sizes, know hot to order food when I am dining out and have learned to manage my food triggers. At the meetings, I feel a great deal of support from my group and group leader, Cara, who has been there with me since the beginning. I am confident I am going to reach my weight loss goal by the end of this year and when I do, I plan to treat myself to a long vacation! Look out world, here I come!
There is another quote from Winnie:
ReplyDelete"You can't stay in your corner of your Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes." That is what you are doing, taking a stand against childhood obesity. I am proud of you.
Marcia